Interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 in chronic hepatitis C: Correlations with insulin resistance, histological features & sustained virological response.

Background & Objectives: One of the multiple factors contributing to virological response in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10). Its level reflects the status of interferon-stimulated genes, which in turn is associated with virological response to antiviral therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of serum IP-10 levels on sustained virological response (SVR) and the association of this parameter with insulin resistance (IR) and liver histology.

Prospective non-invasive follow-up of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Non-invasive methods for the assessment of liver fibrosis are accurate in staging chronic liver diseases before treatment.

Aim: To prospectively assess liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in patients treated vs untreated, using non-invasive methods.

Method: 224 patients with CHC were included in the study: 179 received antiviral treatment for 48 weeks, and 45 patients received no antiviral therapy.

Two or more synchronous combination of noninvasive tests to increase accuracy of liver fibrosis assessement in chronic hepatitis C; results from a cohort of 446 patients.

Background: The prediction of fibrosis is an essential part of the assessment and management of patients with chronic liver disease. Non-invasive tests (NITs) have a number of advantages over the traditional standard of fibrosis assessment by liver biopsy, including safety, cost-effectiveness, and widespread accessibility.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of certain biomarkers and transient elastography (TE) alone or in combination to predict the stage of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Baseline characteristics and outcome in Romanian patients with Gaucher disease type 1.

Background/aim: To present clinical and genetic characteristics of all Romanian patients with Gaucher disease type 1, in whom specific diagnosis has been confirmed by enzymatic and molecular methods and to analyze their outcome with and without enzymatic replacement therapy (ERT).

Patients, Methods: There are fifty patients (F/M - 1.63/1) with Gaucher disease type 1.

Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and adiponectin level in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Aims: To assess insulin resistance and adiponectin profile in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), according to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome (MS).

Patients And Methods: One hundred and fifty-two patients with histologically proven CHC, genotype I were prospectively studied. Parameters of MS according to the IDF criteria were evaluated.

The FibroTest value in discriminating between insignificant and significant fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. The Romanian experience.

Aim: To assess the diagnostic value of FibroTest to discriminate between insignificant and significant fibrosis in order to avoid the liver biopsy currently used for selection of chronic hepatitis C patients eligible for antiviral therapy.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in 206 chronic hepatitis C patients with liver biopsy performed before starting antiviral therapy and concomitant serum stored at -80 degrees C. Liver fibrosis was evaluated according to the METAVIR scoring system on a scale of F0 to F4.

Genetic factors in pancreatitis.

The understanding of pathogenesis of acute and chronic pancreatitis has benefited from the progress made in genetic investigations. The discoveries of the gain of function mutations of cationic trypsinogen gene (PRSS1) and the loss of function mutations of pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (SPINK 1) or other potential defects in genes that regulate pancreatic secretory function or modulate inflammatory response to pancreatic injury has changed our current concepts on the pathogenesis of pancreatitis. Genetic factors play an important role in the susceptibility to pancreatic injury, severity and evolution of inflammatory process, leading in some cases to chronic inflammation and/or fibrosis.